American Born Chinese: The Controversial Book Character We Don’t See On The Show

When it comes to TV series adaptations of graphic novels, one usually expects changes. For example, the unique visual designs featured in graphic novels sometimes don’t match the closed-person environment. Or maybe some plot details are more focused than others. But one of the most common incidents in television adaptations is that some characters from graphic novels never appear on screen. This is certainly the case with the Disney+ movie “American-Born Chinese”, based on the graphic novel of the same name by author Gene Luen Yang. While much of the series faithfully retains a lot of Yang’s original work, it also removes a potentially controversial character.

Yang’s original graphic novel features a character named Chin-Kee, Danny’s cousin, who is essentially a caricature of China’s harmful stereotypes. This character aims to boldly expose the multitude of negative stereotypes against Asians that are embodied in history and popular culture. But when “A Chinese Born in America” ​​was adapted, Yang was worried about the character, especially if it was presented to an audience without context. “I was always worried that clips of that character would show up on YouTube if it was adapted, you know?” he told The New York Times. “Completely contextual.”

Yang’s concern is easy to see in the context of viral clips in today’s media. Fortunately, series host Kelvin Yu has come up with a suitable alternative.

In “A Chinese Born in America”, we are introduced to Freddy Wong, played by Ke Huy Quan. Wong is a comic book character in “Beyond Repair”, the ’90s space sitcom of “American Born Chinese”. Basically, Wong acts as a replacement for Chin-Kee as the character’s journey through the Disney+ series still addresses some of the anti-Asian stereotypes that Western entertainment has shown. While the character isn’t as edgy as Chin-Kee in Gene Luen Yang’s original graphic novel, he’s still disturbing enough that Quan initially switched roles before he had a chance to learn of Kelvin’s intentions. Yu with Wong.

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When American Born Chinese returns to focus on Jamie Yao, the actor behind Wong Kar-wai, we have a more subtle and nuanced exploration of Hollywood and the Asian actor forced to play the system. lack of industry knowledge to succeed. That’s largely down to the character’s background — Yu’s experience on the WB show “Popular” as the stereotypical Freddy Gong.

Not only did Yu come to a solid solution, but as he told the New York Times, he also had to come to terms with his past. “The only way to conquer your fear is to carry its weapons,” Yu told the Times. “That’s how you steal his power.”

× Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our service, you consent to our use of cookies. Find out more. Streaming Disney + US-born Chinese: Controversial characters in the book we don’t see in the series

Disney/Carlos Lopez-Calleja Calvin Carter/26. 2:49AM EST May 2023

When it comes to TV series adaptations of graphic novels, one usually expects changes. For example, the unique visual designs featured in graphic novels sometimes don’t match the closed-person environment. Or maybe some plot details are more focused than others. But one of the most common incidents in television adaptations is that some characters from graphic novels never appear on screen. This is certainly the case with the Disney+ movie “American-Born Chinese”, based on the graphic novel of the same name by author Gene Luen Yang. While much of the series faithfully retains a lot of Yang’s original work, it also removes a potentially controversial character.

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Yang’s original graphic novel features a character named Chin-Kee, Danny’s cousin, who is essentially a caricature of China’s harmful stereotypes. This character aims to boldly expose the multitude of negative stereotypes against Asians that are embodied in history and popular culture. But when “A Chinese Born in America” ​​was adapted, Yang was worried about the character, especially if it was presented to an audience without context. “I was always worried that clips of that character would show up on YouTube if it was adapted, you know?” he told The New York Times. “Completely contextual.”

Yang’s concern is easy to see in the context of viral clips in today’s media. Fortunately, series host Kelvin Yu has come up with a suitable alternative.

The Disney+ adaptation created a new character instead

Freddy Wong pointing upDisney/Carlos Lopez-Calleja

In “A Chinese Born in America”, we are introduced to Freddy Wong, played by Ke Huy Quan. Wong is a comic book character in “Beyond Repair”, a ’90s space sitcom on “American Born Chinese”. Essentially, Wong acts as Chin-Kee’s replacement as the character’s journey through the Disney+ series still addresses some of the anti-Asian stereotypes that Western entertainment used to have. present in history. While the character isn’t as edgy as Chin-Kee in Gene Luen Yang’s original graphic novel, he’s still disturbing enough that Quan initially switched roles before he had a chance to learn of Kelvin’s intentions. Yu with Wong.

When American Born Chinese returns to focus on Jamie Yao, the actor behind Wong, we have a more subtle and nuanced exploration of Hollywood and Asian actors forced to play the ignorant system of the film. industry for success. That’s largely down to the character’s background — Yu’s experience on the WB show “Popular” as the stereotypical Freddy Gong.

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Not only did Yu come to a solid solution, but as he told the New York Times, he also had to come to terms with his past. “The only way to conquer your fear is to carry its weapons,” Yu told the Times. “That’s how you steal his power.”

Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education

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